25S 
OCCUPATION, 
do not appear so before strangers, excepting they have no clothes. 
The Jakuns of Johore, who are superior to the others in many res¬ 
pects, as can be inferred from what has been said, are also the best 
dressed; their women are much the same as Malay women as to 
dress, and the order of their appearance; having also a great number 
of rings on their fingers, some of which are crystal, some of copper, 
and some of tin; but also a good many of silver; they take a peculiar 
pleasure in these ornaments, as well as in silver bracelets.* The men 
have at least trowsers, a small baju and an handkerchief for the head. 
The Jakuns of the Menangkabau states, have the same dress as is 
used by the Jakuns of Johore, and the women the same ornaments, 
but are not so well clothed ; many of them gu nearly naked, at least 
near their houses; and those who use clothes, show often an ernbar- 
assment which proves that they are not accustomed to their use. The 
Jakuns of Malacca are badly dressed, many of the women have only a 
sarong, and, if they are married, a ring, the necessary present of the 
husband before he marries them. The greater part of the men have 
nothing but a strip of the fibrous bark of the Terap tree, beaten in¬ 
to a sort of cloth of a reddish brown colour, called a sabaring, round 
their loins; part of this comes down in front, is drawn between the 
legs and fastened behind. 
OCCUP ATION.f 
Like all Indian nations the Jakuns have a propensity to idleness ; 
but to be exact in this account, and just towards them, I must say 
that they are not so lazy as either the Malays or Hindoos. Their 
first and principal occupation is the chase; they have a great predilic- 
tion for this exercise, it being the first means by which they feed*fhem- 
selves and their families; and from having been brought up in that 
habit, in which the greater part of their life is spent, they should be 
skilful hunters, and which in fact they are, both in their way and in 
the manner of using their weapons, as I will say hereafter. When 
there is no more food at home, the husband leaves home, beats the 
* See vol. i. p. 252. 
f lb. p, 255-263,273. 
